Country Vacations & Resorts

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I found a really comprehensive site for renting US vacation cabins…have a look if you are in the market.

Nice site with loads of useful info…

If I was a teacher, or anyone with a month+ to spare for a holiday, the place at the top of my current list to visit would have to be Colleta, Italy.

Colletta Di Castelbianco – I could even work from here…hmmm…

I first saw this area on an episode of HGTV’s, House Hunters International, and I decided to do a little research.

A medieval hill-top village restored as an internet e-village and, only a few kilometers from the Italian Riviera – what’s not to like? And who said watching TV is bad for you???

Rentals are available along with some absolutely astounding real estate for sale.

This show is very addicting if you are interested in real estate prices around the world and want to do a little virtual and visual research.

I wrote an article on  Country Vacations & Resorts about Home Exchanges but here is the basic scoop again.

The Home Exchange program has over 32,000 listings in 130 countries. The listings are from people who are members of Home Exchange, have a nice home to swap, and want to travel – maybe to your home’s location.

How can you make this work to your advantage?

Say you want to vacation in Belize. You visit Home Exchange and search on Belize and find 3 listings. Each listing will be very detailed as to the property, what is included, and where those owning these properties in Belize, want to travel. The first item I clicked on tells me that if I have property in Hawaii or most of the coast of California, these people may want to swap destinations with me. The Home Exchange search result will also tell me what requirements the property owners in Belize have for their swap destination. If I don’t have the “necessaries”, I move on to another listing in Belize, or search another destination entirely.

This gives travelers another valuable option and quite a bit of control when making travel arrangements that a hotel – does not.

Have questions about the Home Exchange program?

~ Is it safe?
~ How do I exchange?
~ What about cars and pets?
~ Are exchange dates flexible?
~ How much does this cost?
~ Who would want to visit my house?

All is revealed on the Home Exchange web site. This is no time for unanswered questions and you will find the web site comprehensive and informative.

Cost? Home Exchange has several membership options starting from $9.95 per month and if you pay a year’s membership in advance and don’t find a swap – your second year’s membership is free. Sounds like a fair deal to me.

Want to travel more and spend less?
Try home exchange for your next vacation. 32,000+ Worldwide Listings.

The letter “B” favorite destination is for Brisbane.  This time it is more than a “wish” since I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent two weeks there…

On Australia’s Gold Coast is the city of Brisbane, state capital of Queensland, with a population of about 2 million – making it the third largest city in Australia.

Climate

Brisbane has a sometimes humid, sub-tropical climate with southern hemisphere winters that are mild, but prone to rather violent thunderstorms from November through March. December through February can see temperatures at or over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees+ Celsius), so make sure you are in-tune with the climate before planning your travel to Brisbane.

Shopping and Entertainment

Although mainly seen as a resort and beach destination, Brisbane’s shopping has a distinctive and cosmopolitan attitude. The pedestrian-only Queen Street Mall has a huge variety of cafes and restaurants, theaters and arcades, and shopping, shopping, shopping. Although this is the most well-known and urban shopping center, the area boasts several others in fairly close proximity.

More info: Queen Street Mall

Tourist Attractions

Popular recreation areas and tourist attractions include the South Bank and Roma Street Parklands, the City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane Forest Park, and Portside Wharf. Visit the world’s first koala sanctuary, The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which has been open since 1927.  Also, don’t miss the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium housed in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens

Fishing, boating, rock and adventure climbs, and nearly 17 miles of bicycle paths will surely give you plenty to do with your active time in Brisbane. Rest yourself for a bit by the area’s beaches…you will not be disappointed. But beware! The beaches are so beautiful and the water so inviting…a mid-winter (for you), sunburn may be in your immediate future. Take it easy your first few days at the beach. (Speaking from experience here…)

My favorite beach along the Gold Coast: Surfers Paradise.
More info: Surfers Paradise Alliance

Getting Around

I arrived in Sydney via New Zealand and caught a quick flight north to Brisbane – about 90 minutes as I remember. Current carriers at Brisbane International airport are: Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue, Quantas, and Jetstar.

Although the majority of locals travel by private car, I had no problem getting around Brisbane without one. Buses, taxis, rail, and the cool CityCat catamaran ferry will get you most places you want to go. Grab the CityCat without any destination in mind for a scenic ride along the Brisbane River.

More info: Brisbane International Airport (BNE)

More travel info: Brisbane, Brisbane maps, and Australia

Starting a little “trip” through the alphabet with travel wishes, hopes, and dreams and maybe a revisit or three.

First stop, the letter “A” which in this case means Australia.

Having visited just one part of this vast “island” I am ready to revisit and see more of the country. No point in missing out on any culinary adventures either so here are a few recommendations for your Australian vacation…

…and a clue to the letter “B” destination – you can find it all on the handy map. Or, use the quick link below to research some gorgeous vacation rental options in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia – reviews included, by people who actually stayed there – what a concept!